Once Upon a Project

How can designers protect their creativity while thriving in a fast-paced, high-pressure industry? Recorded live at NeoCon 2025, host AJ Paron sits down with a panel of experts from Shaw Contract to explore the vital topic of creative wellness in design. Together, Shannon Crider Langley, Kaley Decker, and Ashley Olson share practical tools and strategies for preventing burnout, sustaining passion, and finding balance between work and well-being. Tune in for candid insights and actionable takeaways that will help you nurture both your creativity and your career.This season of Once Upon A Project is presented by Shaw Contract.This episode was recorded live in the NeoCon Podcast Lounge Powered by SURROUND. Thank you to our Lounge sponsor, Material Bank, and product partners: HÅG, Stylex, KI Wall, and Turf.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Recorded live at the NeoCon Podcast Lounge, AJ is joined by Bryan Ballegeer, Vice President of Education for KI, and Jason Lazarz, KI's A&D Market Lead. Together the group explores the transformative power of well-designed educational environments. Learn about KI's inspiring Classroom Furniture Giveaway program, which empowers teachers and students to create dream classrooms tailored to diverse learning needs. Discover how inclusive design can improve student engagement and outcomes, and why the future of educational design lies in addressing the sensory and neuroaesthetic needs of all learners.This season of Once Upon A Project is presented by KI.This episode was recorded live in the NeoCon Podcast Lounge Powered by SURROUND, sponsored by Material Bank, and in partnership with HÅG, Stylex, KI Wall, and Turf.Once Upon A Project is produced by Rob Schulte and Rachel Senatore at SANDOW DESIGN GROUP and is a member of the SURROUND Podcast Network.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sensory design expert Russell Jones sits with AJ to explore the fascinating world of multisensory design in the built environment. Learn how Russell and his team transformed the iconic John Lewis & Partners department store into a testbed for sensory innovation, balancing the needs of neurodiverse visitors, enhancing brand experience, and creating environments that are both immersive and inclusive.Russell's eBook: Designing For Humans: How cross-modal neuroscience can transform the built environment.This season of Once Upon A Project is presented by KI.Once Upon A Project is produced by Rob Schulte and Rachel Senatore at SANDOW DESIGN GROUP and is a member of the SURROUND Podcast Network.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Explore the powerful connection between design and neuroscience with Suchi Reddy an NYC based architect, designer, and artist. Discover how design can influence our emotions, well-being, and human connection through compelling stories and innovative projects. Suchi shares her journey from architectural practice to art installations at Salone del Mobile and discusses the groundbreaking work in neurasthenics. This thought-provoking conversation uncovers how spaces can evoke physiological and psychological responses to enhance human potential.This season of Once Upon A Project is presented by KI.Once Upon A Project is produced by Rob Schulte and Rachel Senatore at SANDOW DESIGN GROUP and is a member of the SURROUND Podcast Network.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dive into the world of color with one of host AJ Paron’s design heroes, Laura Guido-Clark. Laura discusses the psychology of color, its impact on our lives, and how her company, Love Good Color, leverages this knowledge to transform spaces. Learn about her inspiring work with Project ColorCorps, where she brings vibrant transformations to underserved communities, creating environments that reflect joy, belonging, and empowerment. Discover how careful consideration of hues, temperaments, and cultural factors can make a profound difference in design and society.Project Color Corps E.C. Reems Academy ProjectThis season of Once Upon A Project is presented by KI.Once Upon A Project is produced by Rob Schulte and Rachel Senatore at SANDOW DESIGN GROUP and is a member of the SURROUND Podcast Network.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

An expert in inclusive environments, Steve Orfield, President at Orfield Laboratories, Inc., offered up the quietest room in the world to record this episode. Host AJ Paron and Steve discuss their collaboration on a groundbreaking project for Fraser, Minnesota’s leading autism treatment provider, focusing on creating scientifically designed, peaceful spaces for individuals with autism. Discover how science and empathy come together to shape environments that enhance human experience.This season of Once Upon A Project is presented by KI.Once Upon A Project is produced by Rob Schulte and Rachel Senatore at SANDOW DESIGN GROUP and is a member of the SURROUND Podcast Network.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Wild, ambitious projects can be done — or they can be epic.Neil Ferrier, founder of the design firm Discommon, chose the latter when his team took on the ultimate challenge: designing and installing a 48-foot-long sculpture of the Concorde, suspended inside a London restaurant.Ferrier shares what it took to bring his firm’s largest project — in both size and scope — to life. The intricate feat of structural engineering was crafted from hundreds of machined aluminum panels, designed to appear nearly seamless. Along the way, it tested every major aspect of the process: safety (“the damn sprinklers”), budget (“we blew through it”), install (a “team of wizards”), and Discommon’s uncompromising ethos (“f*ck mediocrity”).“Could we have executed a foam one of these? Of course we could have,” Ferrier says. “And every time I went into that restaurant, I’d be like, ‘this sucks.’ We really asked ourselves, what’s the version of this that is epic?”This season of Once Upon A Project is presented by KI.Once Upon A Project is produced by Rob Schulte and Rachel Senatore at SANDOW DESIGN GROUP and is a member of the SURROUND Podcast Network.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This is a special edition episode! We're joined by Gene Wilson, the Vice President of Merchandising and Vendor Management at Room & Board. Explore a groundbreaking initiative in sustainable design as we learn how Room & Board, a pioneering American furniture company, transforms discarded wood into stunning heirloom furniture through their Urban Wood Project. Discover how this line of products prevents waste, creates jobs, and supports local communities across the country. We’ll hear from Emily McGarvey, Director of Sustainability at Room & Board, who shares insights into their sustainability strategy and the positive impact of their urban wood products. Listen to personal stories and experiences highlighting the importance of preserving our natural resources for future generations. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about the future of sustainable design and the remarkable journey of turning urban wood into beautiful, meaningful furniture.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

David Shove-Brown, co-founder of //3877, a D.C.-based architecture and design firm specializing in hospitality, shares the story of one of their most challenging projects—a historic building turned restaurant that they redesigned not once but twice! Learn how //3877 balanced the unique challenges of working within a historic structure while creating a vibrant dining experience and how unexpected events like an earthquake can impact a project.This season of Once Upon A Project is presented by Shaw Contract.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Join host AJ Paron in an enlightening conversation with Jennifer Kolstad, the Global Design and Brand Director at Ford Motor Company, as they delve into the fascinating world of design and its profound impact. Despite her limited background in healthcare design, Jennifer spearheaded the six-million-square-foot Kuwait Children’s Hospital project with HKS. Together, they explore the intricacies of this ambitious endeavor and touch on themes of innovation, empathy, and the lasting influence of design on our world. This season of Once Upon A Project is presented by Shaw Contract.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Big business means a big office. For Boston Consulting Group’s Canadian HQ in Toronto, HOK Canada was the architecture, planning, and engineering firm for the job. Regional winner for the Best of Canada Design Awards for Shaw Contract 2023, Caitlin Turner, project lead and Director of Interiors at HOK Canada, discusses how the project became such a success with host AJ Paron. From tenant-improvement fit-ups and championing Toronto’s mighty emerging design scene to planning for serendipitous bump-ins, this episode covers the social, financial, and design aspects of return to work so many of us are figuring out. This season of Once Upon A Project is presented by Shaw Contract.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you ever find yourself in court, you’ll hope it’s this family circuit in Orlando, Florida. Designed by Jose Jordan who comes from an architectural family and is a current Principal at DLR Group, his scientific approach to architecture with a focus on tactile materials has led him to this niche of civic architecture. Host A.J. Paron shares a personal story that helps hammer home the importance of Jordan’s design ideas, like planning for privacy, ensuring views of nature, and the inclusion of lively colors. “Safe and secure” is the guiding ethos for the project, which makes sense when you listen to how Jordan talks about his approach to designing for positive change. This season of Once Upon A Project is presented by Shaw Contract.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This might be the one sex shop you can walk into with your mother and not feel awkward. When given the brief to design a SoHo storefront for Contact Sports, an elevated and experiential sex and wellness destination, Madelynn Ringo was obviously intrigued. As the founder of her NYC-based eponymous design studio, working with Contact Sports’ founders Justin and Chelsea Kerzner was a match made in heaven, two disruptive and creative teams collaborating to bring their visions to life. Listen to how a vintage aesthetic and cheeky signage can feel totally modern; a locker room feel luxurious, and a brief homage to hockey’s great one, Wayne Gretzky.This season of Once Upon A Project is presented by Shaw Contract.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hear the story behind designing a 1-million-square-foot Nike World Headquarters building that set out to change and inspire how a legacy brand and thousands of employees work. Nita Posada, a partner and director of interior design at Skylab Architecture, explains the multi-faceted functionality of the monumental Serena Williams Building. With “Phenom, Warrior, Muse” as the guiding design principles inspired by the legendary athlete, Posada describes the deliberate work behind every detail, like neon-winged shopping carts and rose-shaped nameplates. Plus, learn about Posada’s familial and Oregonian connections to design, how Skylab’s internal jam band helps professional cooperation, and what it’s like to design for a space that will be constantly changing. This season of Once Upon A Project is presented by Shaw Contract.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Coast-to-coast, designers are figuring out how to get the workforce back into their offices by implementing innovative concepts that are still conducive to productivity. In this episode, learn about two projects that took creativity and thoughtfulness to the next level. In New York City, landscape architect Hank White of HMWhite has put a timber forest on top of the iconic Radio City Music Hall, realizing a dream that was in the development’s original blueprints: bringing the wild to the urban dweller. Over in California, the HQ for plant-based beverage company Califia Farms saw its vegan ethos brought to life; led by SLAM Collaborative principal Alexis Dennis, whose life-long passion for creating any and all aspects of built environments took her to firehouses for inspiration, a kitchen is now the central congregating space of the office without the fluorescent lights and leather chairs. This season of Once Upon A Project is presented by Shaw Contract.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Where hip-hop and design intersect, you’ll find Michael Ford. Learn what sparked the discovery of this seemingly unlikely connection and how a childhood interest in car design fueled an expansive, unique career for “The Hip Hop Architect.” Tune in as Ford, who also founded the Hip Hop Architecture Camp for underrepresented youth, dissects the intricate elements of hip-hop music and culture that inspire textiles, buildings, neighborhoods, and more. Tap into how Ford’s distinct perspective translates into product design through his award-winning carpet collection, Mike Ford + Shaw Contract.This season of Once Upon A Project is presented by Shaw Contract.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When Josh Rubin and Evan Orensten met twenty-five years ago, did they ever imagine their partnership would result in the inception of the iconic media brand COOL HUNTING? This episode offers a glimpse into their journey of evolution at the intersection of the internet, content, and design—not to mention the twenty-year partnership of the men behind the helm. Explore the captivating world of digital design in our latest episode. More on COOL HUNTING. Follow COOL HUNTING.This episode was recorded in the NeoCon Podcast Studio, powered by SURROUND and Sponsored by SnapCab. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When SmithGroup submitted a crazy idea for a design competition from the City of San Francisco, they never thought their futuristic public toilet kiosks and street furniture would be selected, let alone that they would need to be realized. Working with the City of San Francisco and JC Decaux, principals Bill Katz and Tyler Krehlik turned the stigma of public toilets being dirty, unsanitary, and dangerous on its head to add dignity back into these facilities for the people who need and use them. See more about SmithGroup's "Amenipods" here! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Amy Mays, Interior Design Director at HDR, describes the eye-opening experience of working on the NYU Oral Health Center for People with Disabilities. With spaces that provide quality care for people with physical and cognitive disabilities lacking, the HDR team created an environment that goes beyond ADA standards, providing patients and their families with choice, control, and accessibility—experience how this project redefines care and sets new standards in healthcare design. Once Upon a Project is a member of the SURROUND podcast network. Check out more architecture and design shows at surroundpodcasts.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sequoyah Hunter-Cuyjet, Vice President of Determined by Design, describes the impact that design equity standards can have on marginalized communities. Working with their development partner, Dantes Partner, Sequoyah, and her team tackled two large affordable housing projects in Washington, DC. Intent on serving the communities that will call these buildings home, the team drew from history and a strong sense of equity to create spaces filled with awe and wonderment for the residents.Once Upon a Project is a member of the SURROUND podcast network. Check out more architecture and design shows at surroundpodcasts.com.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.